The truth about oral health and heart disease

When it comes to taking care of your heart health, you may think about exercising or eating less saturated fat. Add brushing your teeth to the list of heart-healthy habits!

Research has connected poor oral health and heart disease. To fully protect your heart, practice good oral health habits. Read on to explore the connection.

How your mouth and your heart are connected

How do we know about the link between oral health and heart health? As early as 2012, the American Heart Association (AHA) was sounding the alarm about the need for improved oral health in association with the heart.

The April 2012 statement indicated that there were connections between oral health and heart health that required further research. At the time, research didn’t show whether proper dental hygiene would decrease the incidence rate of cardiovascular disease and stroke, but research since then has tightened the connection.

One 2018 study looked at nearly a million people who had some type of cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack. Researchers found a correlation between poor oral health (as indicated by tooth loss) and coronary heart disease.

Another 2018 study found that poor toothbrushing habits increase cardiovascular event risk for stroke, heart attack and heart failure. Those who brushed their teeth less than twice a day for less than two minutes were at a three-fold increased risk compared with those who brushed twice a day for at least two minutes at a time.

One last 2018 study found that having gum disease can worsen blood pressure and make it more difficult to control high blood pressure. A study in 2021, meanwhile, found a tie between poor oral health and deaths from cardiovascular disease more broadly.

What are the connections between oral health and heart disease? Inflammation may play a key role.

When someone has periodontal disease, bacteria can travel from the mouth into blood vessels in other parts of the body, causing them to become inflamed and damaged. Damaged blood vessels, in turn, can’t efficiently carry oxygenated blood to and from the heart, increasing the risk of heart health issues.

Gum disease, which causes inflammation, can also cause other problems because inflammation increases the risk of plaque buildup in blood vessels or atherosclerosis. Plaque buildup can contribute to heart disease and other health conditions, including dementia.

4 steps you can take to protect your health

Taking steps to care for your teeth and gum health can help protect your heart.

1. Brush your teeth regularly. Talk with your dental provider about how often you should be brushing, but in general, most people should brush their teeth twice daily. Brush for two minutes each time. Electric toothbrushes with a timer eliminate the guesswork of how long to brush.
2. Floss, too. Brushing removes plaque from your teeth, but flossing removes the plaque between your teeth. Getting rid of that plaque can help keep your gums healthy.
3. Get regular dental cleanings. No matter how well you care for your teeth at home, some plaque will still stick around. See a dental provider regularly for professional cleanings to fully clear your teeth of sticky, harmful plaque. Your dentist can also look for signs of health problems in your gums and mouth, such as swollen gums that may indicate heart failure.
4. Drink plenty of water. Some beverages, including sugary sodas and energy drinks, can harm your teeth and gums. On the other hand, staying hydrated by drinking water can help protect your mouth and lower the risk of gum disease. Drinking water after meals can even cleanse your mouth of leftover food that eventually turns into plaque.

When it comes to protecting your heart health, remember that even small steps can have a significant impact. By following these essential oral health habits, you can lower your risk of gum disease and heart disease. So, why not take these steps with confidence and empower yourself to protect your health?

Check up on your heart health with a visit with a University Medical Center New Orleans cardiologist. Schedule an appointment today!